PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Protestors took to South Street Saturday night to voice their displeasure with Philadelphia’s new curfew laws, calling them draconian, and attacks against Democracy.

The community walk against the curfew was designed to draw attention to what the event’s organizers called a war on the African Community, rejecting the claim that the violence of flash mobs is being caused by black youth.

Tommy Joshua, who identified himself as a concerned Philadelphian, likened the situation to martial law. “Can’t be a military solution to a youth problem. Only by joining hands can we change Philadelphia.”

Event organizers pointed to the amount of money that the city is pouring into having an extra police presence on weekends. A main speaker at the protest was independent mayoral candidate Diop Olugbala.

“Through this curfew the city spends more than $56,000 every single weekend. I mean how many youth can be employed from $56,000 being spent a weekend.”

The demonstration was part of the International Day of Resistance Against Africa and African People. Various protests and demonstrations were held across the world as well.